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THE DYING SOLDIER;

OR, HIS MOTHER'S BIBLE.

ONE of the earliest scholars in a Sundayschool in Kent, was the only child of his mother, and she was a widow. Perhaps he had been a spoiled child, for his life was wild, capricious, and wicked. In the Sunday-school, where he had been placed for instruction, he made no improvement; and it was only respect for the aged widow which prevented him from being expelled. At length the conductors were obliged to dismiss him. The boy was driven from all means most likely to save him, and he enlisted to be a soldier. He was sent to America during the unhappy and regretted war which we last conducted against that country.

When he entered the army, he became as notorious and as profligate abroad as he had

been obstinate and self-willed at home. His mother still survived to weep over him, and pray for him. She found a sergeant, the son of a neighbouring farmer, who was going out to the regiment in which her son was, and she obtained a small Bible, and sent it to him, and who can help supposing that she embalmed it with her tears, and followed it with her prayers? The boy had resisted many efforts to do him good; but who could tell whether this effort might not prove availing? The sergeant embraced an early opportunity of taking him aside, and said, "I have seen your mother." "Is the old woman alive;" was the careless unnatural reply. “Yes, she is," rejoined the sergeant, but I suppose by this time she is no more; she was very ill, and and has sent you a small present." "I hope it is some money." Ah," said the sergeant, "my lad, it is something better than money; it may prove better than gold and silver, if you use it aright; it is a Bible." He looked at it with chagrin. "Your mother has sent you one dying request, and that is, that you will look at this Bible, and read at least, one verse every day." He took the Bible, and handled it, as if he was ashamed or afraid of it; sorely vexed that he had got nothing which he esteemed better. "Well," said he, "it is not much to look at a single verse every day." He casually opened the book, and said, "Why this is very strange; here the only verse just falls under my eye, that

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ever I was able to learn at the Sunday-school'Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.'

Oh, that is

very strange! Pray who is it that says, 'Come unto me."" "Do you not know" said the ser geant, "that it is Jesus Christ? It is He who says, 'Come unto me.' He is waiting to receive such poor sinners as you and me." A few more words passed; and, as the sergeant turned aside, he looked back, and saw the soldier with both his hands before his eyes, evidently much affected.

The man began to read the Bible, and he soon became as distinguished for piety, as he had previously been for sin; and the change which took place in him was very obvious to his associates. The battle of Orleans soon occurred; and, after the violent struggle on the plains below, the sergeant, who escaped, was passing the field of blood, and saw the poor soldier lying dead under a tree. He had been shot through the neck; but he had evidently been reading his Bible after he was shot: for it was lying by his side, and it was open at the very verse which I have recited. The gentleman who stated this fact, said he had the Bible frequently in his hands, and that it was saturated with the blood of the dying soldier !

INDIAN ELOQUENCE.

"The Baltimore camp meeting was held during our stay in that city, (Baltimore,) in July, at which we attended. On Sabbath at eleven o'clock Between-the-Logs and myself were to address the congregation. I led the way, by preaching from Rom. i. 14, 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, &c.'

"After I had concluded, Between-the-Logs took the stand, and commenced his address by stating, that he was a child born and raised in the woods, and that he once knew nothing of the true religion; 'nor had I,' said he, "until lately, ever heard the name of Jesus-that name so precious -that name which kindles a fire in the heart that burns on every breath. I was taught to worship the Great Spirit by feasts, dances, and rattles; and when that was done, I thought all was well, I pursued the game through our deep forests with great delight; but then there was not the sound of a white man's axe to be heard on the other side of the Ohio. The French sent a Catholic priest, and he taught us to worship God, by wearing a cross, and counting our beads, and praying to the Virgin Mary to take pity on us; and then we thought all was well, although we continued to drink as before. But, a few years since, the gospel which God appointed to go to all nations, came into our nation. and although the instrument was weak, yet the

word was powerful, and took hold of our hearts and showed us what we were. These ministers pointed us to Jesus, the Saviour of sinners, and directed us to go to him. We did so, and God had mercy on us, and forgave our sins. Many of my nation are this day rejoicing in the love of God. This gospel is a spirit of peace. It has made peace between us, who were once great enemies and shed each others blood. But the Great Spirit has taken the tomahawk out of our hands, and his love has taken it out of our hearts, and buried it so deep that it will never rise again; and this shall go to all people, and it will bury all war, and make all the world like brothers, for Jesus died himself to make peace, yes, my brothers, he died "

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Here he commenced giving a description of the crucifixion; but brother Brown the Interpreter, became so sick that he could not proceed. Between-the-Logs told him to sit down and he would proceed without him. Now, this high-souled woods-preacher knew that he must make himself understood chiefly by signs. He spoke the name of Jesus plainly, which was a great help to understand his signs. In showing how Jesus prayed for his enemies, he fell down upon his knees, and lifted his hands and streaming eyes to heaven. This sign was understood and felt throughout the whole assembly of, perhaps, ten thousand people. He then rose, and placed his left hand against the post that supported the stand, with his fore

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